The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 79

Chapter 79. The Shaanxi Scorpion (2)

Eom Sam-taek couldn’t help but question the unexpected remark.
“Pardon?”
“To be honest, I’m already occupied with the affairs of Hyun Pung Bureau that I oversee. Why would I interfere in Eom Haeng-su’s merchant venture?”
Eun Seo-ho spoke with a smile, but Eom Sam-taek grasped the underlying meaning.
‘Is he saying it’s a bother?’
Eun Seo-ho continued.
“Since we’ll be traveling together, I came to offer my greetings beforehand and to convey this point.”
“I understand perfectly what you mean, Bureau Chief.”
“Then I ask for your cooperation once more. I’ll see you on the day of departure.”
“Yes.”
And true to his word, Eun Seo-ho refrained from adding anything further during that time.
He merely requested cooperation regarding matters that concerned him.

The day of departure for Shaanxi Province arrived.
Carriages were prepared at Cha-jang.
Since the goods had to be loaded onto boats, the carriage was narrower than the ones normally used.
And within it, merchandise destined for sale in Shaanxi Province was being carefully stacked.
At that moment, the Head of Changin Escort Agency, the Escort Masters, and the Cart Laborers who would accompany today’s venture approached.
These were the people from Changin Escort Agency, contracted with the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Welcome. I am Eom Sam-taek, the Haeng-su overseeing this merchant venture.”
“I am Gwak Myung-hyun, Head of Changin Escort Agency.”
“I am Yun Ji-shim, Squad Leader of the Eunpung Corps squad accompanying today’s venture.”
At that moment, a group of people emerged into view.
Eun Seo-ho’s entourage.
“Ah, I seem to have arrived a bit late.”
Those who saw him quickly offered their respects.
“We pay our respects to the Bureau Chief.”
Though Eun Seo-ho was a Small Merchant Guild Leader, his current title as the chief of Hyun Pung Bureau was Bureau Chief.
Eom Sam-taek responded in turn.
“Not at all. You’ve arrived right on time.”
“That’s a relief.”
At that moment, Eun Seo-ho’s and Gwak Myung-hyun’s eyes met, and Eun Seo-ho offered a fist salute with a faint smile.
“We’ll be traveling together. I look forward to your cooperation.”
“The pleasure is mine as well.”

* * *

I gazed ahead at the vast expanse before me.
The waters of the Yangtze River rippled and surged beneath the sky.
I was aboard a boat, cutting through the currents.
Since we were traveling upstream against the current of the Han River, one of the Yangtze’s tributaries, the oarsmen were laboring intensely with every stroke.
However, on the return journey, we would drift downstream with the current, so we only needed to control our speed to avoid moving too quickly.
The river was crowded with vessels beyond just those of the Eunhae Trading Company.
Much like the Yellow River upstream, the Yangtze was an artery of immense strategic importance.
Through the Yangtze’s waterways, countless goods were transported, and grain from the Gangnam Region flowed northward to the Gangbuk Region.
Furthermore, the government’s courier services also traveled these waters.
Stabilizing the Yangtze’s waterways was essential for maintaining peace throughout the Central Plains.
In other words, this river commanded the Emperor’s close attention.
Two years prior, the river pirates infesting these waters committed a catastrophic blunder.
They plundered an entire shipment of salt destined for Guizhou Province.
The failure to deliver salt on schedule created a severe shortage throughout the region.
The Emperor found this deeply offensive.
They had obstructed his ambitious initiative, and the resulting public outcry against his salt distribution policy threatened everything he had worked toward.
Most critically, it meant the enormous revenues flowing into the imperial treasury could dry up entirely.
Naturally, the Emperor did not remain idle.
With ample justification, he issued immediate orders to mobilize the military.
Admittedly, pirates trained in water combat techniques were formidable adversaries.
Yet the imperial power governing the Central Plains was far from weak.
The imperial navy launched massive fleets from both Sichuan and Anhui, converging in a devastating assault on the pirates’ strongholds between them.
Moreover, with the Emperor’s resolve, he deployed master martial artists whose skills rendered the pirates’ resistance utterly futile.
Within six months, the Yangtze was completely pacified.
Fearing the pirates might resurge, the Emperor stationed Water Officials at strategic points along the river to maintain order and security.
The Yangtze had become the Emperor’s domain entirely.
Thanks to this, merchants like us could traverse the river safely and freely—long live His Majesty the Emperor.
There was, however, one complication.
“Urgh!”
The Yeochang’s Deputy I had brought along was suffering from seasickness far worse than anticipated.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Ugh…”
“Clearly not.”
In truth, if not for the nausea, the view from the boat would have been absolutely magnificent.
Even the remedies reputed to ease seasickness provided little relief.
At that moment, my Master approached and pressed gently behind Yeochang’s Deputy’s ear.
Instantly, Yeochang’s Officer drifted into a peaceful sleep.
“The best cure for seasickness is sleep.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“I heard the Young Master has other business to attend to.”
“Yes.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Once we arrive in Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, I plan to head toward the Wuyi Merchant Guild. There are several things I need to investigate.”
“I see.”
My Master spoke matter-of-factly.
“We have time until then. Since we’re traveling by boat, this is an excellent opportunity to learn water techniques.”
“Water techniques…?”
“Of course, now that the water bandits have been swept away by government forces, water techniques may seem unnecessary. However, water techniques are remarkably useful once mastered. There are still water bandits who haven’t been eliminated, after all.”
My Master explained the necessity of water techniques, but my question didn’t mean ‘why should I learn it?’
I hadn’t expected my Master to teach me water techniques at all.
In my previous life, I never learned water techniques.
There were more than one or two occasions when I regretted that.
Had I learned water techniques, I could have resolved many difficult situations far more easily.
“I’ll learn! Please teach me.”
At my enthusiastic response, my Master chuckled softly.
“That explanation was unnecessary. Then I’ll teach you water techniques starting tonight.”
“But I have two questions.”
“Go ahead.”
“If we learn water techniques, won’t someone mistake us for water bandits?”
“You needn’t worry about that. Others won’t even see us practicing water techniques.”
“Yes, and my second question is… Master, were you also capable of water techniques?”
“When snow melts, it becomes water; when water freezes, it becomes ice.”
I understood what he meant.
“That was a foolish question.”
“Curiosity must be satisfied. Otherwise, you may fall into demonic delusion.”
Just then, the Escort Master from the other boat called out to my Master.
“I’m being called.”
“Go quickly.”
“Then I’ll see you at the beginning of the Hai hour tonight.”
As my Master took a light step, his form suddenly soared upward.
Thud.
He landed lightly on the other boat.
Yet the boat didn’t sway at all. Everyone watching gasped in admiration.
“Wow! So it really is Gwak Pyo-du!”
“To travel with Gwak Pyo-du on this escort mission! What fortune!”
Not only the cart laborers but the warriors of the Eunpung Corps couldn’t hide their amazement.
Watching them, I smiled to myself.
In truth, my Master is not one to boast of his martial prowess to others.
Yet the fact that he displayed his skills in such a manner served two distinct purposes.
One was to bolster the morale of those conducting the escort operation.
The other was a warning to any enemies who might be watching.
I observed two of the Eunpung Corps warriors from the squad who stood in admiration.
Bae Cheol Warrior and Go Ju-sang Warrior.
They were the Guard Warriors who had betrayed me in my previous life.
Once lowly warriors of the Ren rank, they had now ascended to the Gyeong rank over these two years.
That alone spoke to their considerable skill.
Moreover, their reputation among the warriors was quite favorable.
Indeed, that was likely why the External Chief Manager had recommended them as my guards in my previous life.
I had deliberately brought the squad to which they belonged.
The longer they remained at the guild, the more they would learn of its affairs, creating a risk of information leaking.
And now it was time to betray the guild that had employed them.
Honestly, even if they provided information difficult to obtain at their lowly rank, the guild employing them would grow suspicious.
Thus I waited until the two warriors were promoted to sufficiently elevated positions.
Bringing them along this time was to keep them close and earn their trust.
So that they would believe the false information I provided to be absolutely genuine.
Some might say the squad was suffering needlessly, but this was their work.
And since they traveled by boat, it was a journey of considerable comfort.
When I moved separately, I intended to designate them to move with me.
.
.
.
That night.
My Master taught me water techniques.
The most fundamental aspect of water techniques was enduring underwater for extended periods.
“If one’s only goal were to endure underwater for a long time, one would employ the Breath-Holding Technique, but its disadvantage is that once movement begins, the technique cannot be maintained. Therefore, a meditation method that allows breathing underwater is necessary.”
“I see.”
“Other water techniques possess meditation methods for underwater breathing, but I can assert without hesitation that our clan’s meditation method is supreme.”
I could sense the pride in my Master’s words regarding his clan’s meditation method.
“This meditation method is called the Frozen Sea Assimilation Technique.”
So it meant becoming one with the frozen sea?
“The reason I teach you this is because you are currently learning the seventh form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique.”
I was learning the seventh form among the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique.
This was not because my progress was slow.
As my inner energy accumulated, the process of controlling it through swordplay simply took longer.
According to my Master, it takes a full decade to completely master the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, so my pace was genuinely swift.
“If one has learned six of the twelve forms, there is no harm to the body in mastering the Frozen Sea Assimilation Technique.”
“Then before that point, there would be harm to the body, correct?”
“That is correct. The Ice Sea Harmony Heart Method means harmonizing one’s body temperature with ice water. Before mastering the first six forms of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, it stimulates the extreme yin energy within the body, endangering the practitioner’s life.”
My Master continued.
“In the worst case, you could freeze to death.”
“….”
Now I understood why only my Master’s Clan had learned this technique.
“The more you master the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, the longer you can maintain this method, but currently, Lord Seo-ho, you can sustain it for at most a quarter hour.”
“That’s not very long.”
“Once you master the entire sword technique, you should be able to extend it to two hours.”
“I understand.”
“Once you become accustomed to the Ice Sea Harmony Heart Method, we’ll begin the formal internal cultivation. This training typically takes two weeks to master. Can you manage it?”
“Yes, I can do it.”
What’s the harm in trying?

As I traveled by boat, I practiced the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique at dawn and trained in internal cultivation at night.
My Master’s Clan’s internal cultivation was the Ice Sea Water Severing Technique.
I could now understand why he had said others wouldn’t even notice me training.
It was based on the Shadowless Step Method.
Thus, even when walking on water, it remained undisturbed, and not a sound escaped.
Like the invisible depths beneath a vast glacier.
Every martial art I learned from my Master contained characters meaning ice or frozen water, and the more I practiced, the more their significance became crystal clear.
Yet my Master still hesitated to officially acknowledge himself as my teacher.
What could the reason possibly be?
.
.
.
Before long, the boat drew near our destination.
“The boat is comfortable, but I’m dying of boredom.”
At Palgap’s words, I chuckled softly.
“You’ll soon say these days were the happiest of your life.”
My personal guards, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior, nodded in agreement.
“The lord speaks truly.”
“This is happiness indeed, haha. Besides, before, we were tense several times a day because of bandits, but thanks to the Emperor’s grace, they’ve vanished. I can’t express how comfortable it is.”
“That is so.”
I nodded.
The journey was remarkably peaceful and serene.
.
.
.

The next day.
At last, we disembarked from the boat.
We went through the tedious process of unloading our cargo and carriage, then set off in the carriage.
Upon arriving in Xi’an, we unpacked our belongings.
This was because we had decided to conduct business with the Cha Trading House, which dealt with the Eunhae Trading Company in this region.
I planned to rest here for a day, then head to the Wuyi Merchant Guild the following day.
.
.
.
Morning arrived.
As always, I trained in swordsmanship under my Master’s guidance.
“Thank you for your instruction.”
“I am grateful for your teachings.”
“You have already mastered the Bing Hai Shui Jue technique, and your learning is truly swift.”
“It is only thanks to your guidance, Master.”
“Your talent is exceptional, and with such diligent effort, it is no wonder you mastered it in less than ten days.”
“I suppose I do have some aptitude, don’t I?”
At my quip, my Master let out a soft chuckle.
“Indeed.”
Well…
I had meant it as a jest, but hearing my Master respond so earnestly left me somewhat flustered.
“It seems we must part ways now. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes.”
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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